Vehicle-wheel.



LANDERSQN.

' Patented July 1o, 1917..

5 SHEETS*SHEET 2 L. ANDERSON.

VEHICLE WHEEL. A APPLICATION mw FEB. 13, 1911.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

L. ANDERSN.

VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED IEB. I3, I-9I7.

Patent@ JuIy 10, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

L. ANDERSON.

VEHICLE WHEEL.

N FILED FEB. 13. 1911.

APPLICATIO Ia-tnted' July 10, 19W.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5- VLYCT TBJGEUS ANDERSON, OF LAKE'CREEK, TEXAS.

VEHICLE-WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patenten .nay io, reir.

Application led February 13, 1917. Serial No. 148,381.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, LYcURGUs ANDERSON,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Lake Creek, in the county of Delta and State of Texas, have invented new and useful improvements in Vehicle-Wheels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in vehicle wheelsv of that general VVtype which embodies a flexible tread andradially arranged springs for absorbingshocls and cushioning the yielding action of the parts of said tread, a prior construction of this type being disclosed in my Patent No. 1,096,817 of May 19, 191e upon which the present invention may be regarded las an improvement. 1

VThe objects of the present invention,

briefly stated, are to provide a wheel of the type referred to which shall be simply and dui-ably constructed, which shall have easy riding and efficient tractive properties, wherein the springs are completely inclosed and protected yet are readily and individually accessible, wherein the tension and consequent action of the springs may .be conveniently regulated in accordance with the contemplated load, and wherein the parts may be assembled with comparative ease and facility and without the difficulties fre- Vquently encountered in assembling wheels of the general type referred to.

With the above objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel Vfeatures of structure. combination and relation which will appear as the description proceeds.

1n 'the accompanying drawings, two embodiments of the inventionare illustrated, one of which is a construction applicable to heavypassenger automobiles or heavy automobile trucks and the other of which is a construction applicable to' light delivery trucks or pleasure vehicles. Y

ln said drawings- Figure 1 is a detail view, partly in vertical longitudinal section and partly in side elevation', showing a' wheel of a construction which is applicable to heavy vehicles.

Fig. :2 is a cross-sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail view, partly in section and partly in side elevation, of that construction which is applicable to light veN j hicles.

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view on the line L1-l Vof Fig. 3.

Fig. 5. is a detail horizontal sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4L.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a tread plate embodied in theconstruction shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 7 and 8 are developed plan views of the fellies, intended to show more particularly the arrangement and relation of the spring-operated plungers and the spokes in the respective embodiments of Figs. 1 and 3.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 7:

The improved wheel is designed essentially for use in connection with a flexible casing 1 preferably of rubber, and which may be similar as regards external form and i general proportions to the outer casing of an ordinary pneumatic tire. The casing l is formed along its margins with clencher beads 2 which are gripped, in the usual manner, to insure of the retention of said casing on the felly, by flanges 3, these being detachable in the present embodiment.

rlhe felly l consists of an integral band of sheet metal and has at its sides outwardly directed flanges 5 against which the flanges 3 are held by bolt-and-nut fastenings 6, the flanges 5 being prolonged suiiiciently to vprovide baclrings for the clencher beads 2.

rihe requisite cushioning action is secured by means of spring-pressed plungers 7" which are axially slidable in cylinders 8 arranged radially and equidistantly. T he cylinders 8 are supported by and extend between the felly 4 and an annular band 9 arranged within the casing 1 in concentric surrounding relation to said felly. |The felly 4c and band 9 are generally similar in construction in that they are provided with openings 10 and 11, respectively, said open ings preferably having their edge portions swaged to provide flanges 12 to which the cylinders 8 are secured byV welding or otherwise, the marginal portions of said cylinders being disposed within said openings, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

VArs adapted for heavy passenger autoincbiles or delivery trucks, there will be two groups of plungers 7 and cylinders 8 arranged, symmetrically, at opposite sides of thecentral plane of the wheel and of the spokes 13, as best shown in Fig. 2. The spokes 13, which are preferably of hollow l cylindrical form, radiate inthe Vner from a central hub 14 of solid or other suitable construction and are preferably secured in the folly 4 and bandV 9 in thesame manner as the cylinders 8; that is toV say, said felly and band are provided Witlropen-Y ings "Vthrough which'k the spokes extend and Whose marginal portions are sWaged to provide flanges 16 to which the spokes are secured by Welding or otherwise. f

The plungers 7 .project .through andbeyondthe open outer ends of the cylinders 8 and. areactedon by helical Vsprings 17 and 18, the formerfclosely surrounding :the lat? ter.` The v,plnngers ,n.7 are preferably of cupped construction; and thespr-ings 17 and V18; fitavithin said plungers and at their innerends bear against` caps 19 which; serve both .closures .for/the .inner .ends of the cylinders -8v and as means for adjusting the tensionot .the springs'. The caps 19 are threadediivithin',.the ycylinders and are vpreferably formed With internal steps or shoulders 20and21npon which ythe respective springsg17. `and 18..seat, thesheulders 21 beingonstituted bythe :closedends of the caps. The'portions of the caps which ci;T

v, tend betvve'enthersteps 2Q and 21 and which .f Will be ylocated .in Whole or.- 4in .part beyond theyjjinner ends ofV the cylinders 8, 01'. e.,ex

iternally, are formed With flat aces,he;vago.

theterininal vconvolutions, of .the springsarev 'previdednvith radial recesses. and. the surfacesagainst `'which the. said convolutions bear.- are provided ,-vvith radial ribs 23, .prefs Yerablyy .of triangular crossfsection, whichI haveinterlocking engagement in said rei Y cesses but whichrdo not interfere with: the

. ytuiiniiigof the capsslQ-bya Wrench or other 45 implement for the. purpose of moving-said caps far-therinto Vor out of the cylinders 8 'and thereby increasing o'rdecreasing. the

normal lcompressim of the. springs.

VFor'reoeivii'ag.the cushioning thrusts `of the plungers 7, av flexible system .of .tread plates 2tis. provided. :According to. the present invention, .the flexibility of the systemot tread plates isr secured by their arfrangement at equidistantv intervals and .in disconnected relation whereby each. plate may lmove .inl any direction in the .maj or or longitudinal oplanelof the .wheel vThe tread plates 24 fit in conforming recessesv inv :the

inner acegefthe-,casing 1 and they. are positively `.separated Vfrom one 'another by bumper.' and spacing; lugs 25. integral with saidicasing-antl' Which. project; andV havea close :ii-t vbetween .thev adjacent ends .oisaid plates.'- Itis preferred-to. locate the tread fp'lzatesfin. .thew'casing 1in connection with I the molding of said casing whereby the tread plates themselves mold the recesses in which they it and are adliesively connected `to thecasing which preferably has its inner 'face' lined throughout the several plies of cotton `fabric 1X as an internal reinforcement and Wear-resisting medium.

In. orderto transmit thrusts from the plunger 7 to the tread plates 24: or from terposed. For `the purposes of centering said rollers and .providing a ti'active surface for their action the tread plates are formed VWithchannels 2,8 having concave rollersengaging .surfaces of greater curvature and extent than the rollers and the plungers are Vformed with similar channels 29 confronting the channels 28. Where, asis preferred, the. stems 27 also have rollingpbea-rings.. on the adjacent parts, the `tread plates and plungers are formed at thefsides of the channels 2.8 and 29 with conca-ve bearing Vsurfaces 30 and 3.1, respectively. .In ordcrf to confine the stems 27 against endivise, play; and enable the rollers 26. tobe. held out of c ontact'with the sides ofthe channels 2.8 and 29 the tread plates areyprov-ided with .end abiitinents 32 over lying the endsof the stems.

The. springs, 17. alone act to .relieve the vi- `brations or jars AWithin a certain normal range; but .for the heavier vibrations both springs act in concert and mutually relieve oneanother. Thecapsl) provide means for regulating the compression of thc springsin accordancevivith the contemplated normal range of vibrations and accordingly. are initially adjusted whereby the springs 17.-.vvill.have a certain normal load-resisting compression ,butthe springs 18 are relatively ,slack or under such light compression that their sensible action requires a much stronger compression thereof, as by a jar or shock beyond the normal resisting capacity of'` the springs 17.. Since. the caps 19 are externally accessible, the adjustment of the coi-np-ression of: the spi'ingsmay be convenientlyand ,quickly effected and, in the use of the wheel, practised from .time to time as need may require.

-In case. any of the springs become broken a new one be substituted. with convenience and quickness since suoli substitution requires. only :the .removal of the cap. 19 Which provides a bearing for the broken @ill cylinder 8 and a new one inserted in its place through the opening normally closed by said cap.

The construction described greatly facilii tates the fitting of the casing 1. During this ent No. 1,058,518 of April 8, 1913.

veo

operatiom the caps 19 are backed as far as possible from the cylinders 8 whereby the springs 17 and 18 will be under very light, if any, compression and will interpose no serious obstacles to the ready connection of the casing to the felly in the usual manner ;r

as the attachment of the casing progresses, the stems 27 and rollers 26 are fitted in their operative positions and remain centered relatively to the tread blocks and plungers by the engagement of the rollers 26 in the relatively deep channels 28 and 29.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8:

This .construction differs from the one above described in that there is but a single series of annularly arranged cushioning springs and plungers which are disposed in the common plane of the spokes. The casing 1u, felly ta, band 9a, tread plates 24a, rollers 26a, roller stems 27, cylinders 8a and plungers 7 a, springs 17a and 18a and caps 19L arranged in said cylinders are of generally the same construction and relation as the correspondingly named and designated parts of the construction above described.V IfIowever, by virtue of the fact that the plungers and springs are arranged in the common plane of the'spokes, it is convenient to use the spokes as casings for certain of the plungers and springs and to arrange the cylinders 8a between the spokes. In these respects, the present construction follows, broadly, the arrangement shown in my Pat- The structural differences involved are confined to the construction of the spokes and the organization relatively thereto of the plungers. The spokes are shown at 13a and the plungers 7 which operate in the spokes are similar to the plungers 7. Since the present construction is intended onlv for light vehicles, but a single spring, 17". corresponding to the spring 17 above described, is employed to act on each plunger 7b. rIhe spring 17" bears at its outer end against the head of the plunger 7b and at its inner end Aagainst a follower 19b which is formed-as a disk-shapedplate and is slidable lengthwise of the spoke 13a. By adjustment of the position of the follower 19h the compression of the spring 17b may be regulated in a manner which will be vobvious from the foregoing description.

For the support and adjustment of the follower 19h an adjusting ring 33 is arranged externally of each spoke 13L and is threaded thereon and a pair of bars 34 upon which the plate 19ID rests are supported by the with facets whereby it may serve as a nut for engagement by a wrench or pliers in connection with its manipulation to vary the position of the plate 19h and the consequent degree ofcompression of the spring 17". However, in order to prevent the ring 33 from turning or working loose in consequence of vibration, as also to prevent endwise movement of the bars 34;, said barsare formed with angular, down-turned terminal lugs 36 and the ring 33 is formed along its outer edge with recesses in which vthe lugs 36 seat.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a wheel of the character described, in combination, a flexible casing, a felly to which'the casing is attached, a plurality of cylinders carried by the felly and projecting into the casing, tread plates set into the inner face of the casing and corresponding in arrangement to said cylinders, said tread plates being disconnected toone an-` tionin the longitudinal plane of the wheel relatively to said plungers.

2. In awheel of the character described, in combination, a flexible casing, a felly to whichl the casing is attached, a plurality of cylinders carried by the felly and projecting into the casing, tread plates setinto the inner face of the casing and corresponding in arrangement to said cylinders. said tread plates `being in disconnected relation and the casing having spacing lugs integral therewith projeoting between the adjacent ends `of the tread platea spring pressed plungers operating in said cylinders and rollers for transmitting thrusts from saidplungers to said plates,- orfrom said plates to said plungers, said plungers and plates both having channels in which said rollers are centered and operate. Y

Y3. In a wheel of the character described, in combination, a flexible casing, a felly to which the casing is attached, a plurality of cylinders carried by the felly and projecting into the casing, tread plates set into the inner face of the casing and corresponding in arrangement to said cylinders, said tread plates being in disconnected relation and the casing having spacing lugs integral therewith projecting between the adjacent ends of the' tread plates, plungers operating in said cylinders, rollers for transmitting thrusts from said plungers to said plates, or from said plates to said plungers, said plungers and plates both having channels in which said rollers are centered and springs arranged in said cylinders and actingon said plungers to move them toward saidtread plates, andmeans movable'lengthwise of the cylinders and externally accessible at the inner side of said felly providing bearings for the inner ends of and serving for the adjustment of the comoperate,

` pression thereof.

4. In a wheel ofthe character described,

-' in combination,a flexible casing, a felly to whichthe'casing is attached, a plurality ofV cylinders carried by the felly and proj eetingV into Vthe casing, tread plates setinto the in- ;ner face of the arrangement to said cylinders, said tread gers and plates both 215? which saidrollers are centered and operate,

plates being in disconnected relation and the casing having spacing lugs integral therewith projecting between the adjacent ends of thetreadplates, plungers operating in lsaid cylinders, rollersffor ltransmitting thrusts, from said plungers to said plates, or from'said plates to said'plungers, said plunvhaving channels in springs arranged insaid cylinders and'actso' ble at lng on said plungers to move them toward said tread plates, and means movable lengthwiseIof the cylinders and externally accessithe inner sideof said'felly providing bearings'for the inner ends of said springs and serving for the adjustment ofthe compression thereof,.said means including an adjustment nutand the plungers, springs 3:55 and saidA means -being constructed to cooperate in Vpreventing, said nut fromV workj ing loose consequent to vibration.

t Y into: thecasing,

g5.' In a wheel of the eharacterfdescribed, in combination, aflexible casing, a felly to V which the-easing-is attached, a-plurality of cylinders carried by the` felly and projecting tread plates Vset into the innerL face ofthe casingiand corresponding in arrangement to said cylinders, vsaid tread 4,53 plates being in disconnected relation and the .v gers and plates both` ate, springs-arranged in copies `of tm-patent-maybe maniaci forsaid springs casing and corresponding'inv having channels in` said springs, said caps being externally accessible at the inner side of the felly for the purpose of vadjusting the compression of said springs. Y

6. In a wheel of the character described, in combination, a sheet metal felly having flanges at the sides thereof and having openings formed at regular intervals therein, a flexible vcasing having marginal clencher beads, attachment Aflanges co-aeting with said clencher beads and secured to the flangesA of` said felly, cylinders radiating from said felly and set into the openings thereof, capslclosing the inner ends of said cylinders and removable therefrom, said caps being externally accessible at the inner side of the felly, plungers operating in said cylinders, springs disposed in said cylinders and acting on said plungers, tread plates bearing against the inner face of the casing, and means for transmitting thrusts from said plungers to said tread plates or from said plates to said plungers whereby said plates mayyield in any direction in the longitudinal plane of the wheel relatively to said plungers.

7. In a wheel of the character described, in combination, a sheetv metal felly having flanges at the sides thereof and having openings formed at regular intervals therein, a flexible casing having marginal clencher beads, attachment flanges co-acting with said clencher beads and secured to the flanges of saidv felly, cylinders radiating from said felly and set into the openings thereof, caps closing the inner ends of said cylinders and removable therefrom, saidcaps being'externally accessible at the inner side of the felly, plungers operating in said cylinders, springs disposed in said cylinders and acting on said plungers, tread plates bearing against the inner face of the casing, means for transmitting thrusts from said plungers to said tread plates orfrom said plates to said plungers whereby said plates may yield in any direction inthe longitudinal plane of the wheel relatively to said plungers, and a sheet metal band concentric to said felly and located within the easing, said band' having openings formed therein to receive the outer ends of said cylinders.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LYCURGUS ANDERSON. Witnesses:

GEORGE T. ANDERSON, H. H. OwrNes.

ve cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington; D. C. 

